How to Troubleshoot a Toro 20332

Park the Toro mower on a flat surface for troubleshooting.

The Toro model 20332 is part of the Personal Pace line of walk-behind mowers manufactured by the company for homeowners. Featuring a 22-inch cut, a self-propelled system that matches your walking speed, and a Briggs & Stratton engine, the Toro mower is suited for small to medium-sized lawns. Periodically, there may be times when the mower does not operate as designed. Basic troubleshooting can help narrow down the problem so you can make corrections to get the mower back up and running.

1

Remove the cap from the gas tank on the Toro mower. Place a disposable container on the ground beside the mower. Tip the mower toward the container and pour out the old gasoline. Dispose of the container with the old gasoline at a recycling collection site. Add fresh, recently purchased, gasoline to the gas tank and replace the cap.

2

Remove the screw holding the air filter housing cover in place on the side of the Toro engine. Pull the cover off the housing and remove the air filter. Tap the filter on a hard surface to remove dust and debris. Obtain a replacement filter if the old one is damaged or excessively worn. Place the filter in the housing and secure the housing cover in place with the screw.

3

Pull the spark plug wire from the tip of the spark plug. Remove the spark plug from the engine with a spark plug wrench. Examine the plug for damage to the ceramic or scorching on the center diode. Brush away light accumulations of carbon with a brush or obtain a replacement plug, if it is damaged. Thread the plug in place and tighten it with the spark plug wrench. Connect the wire back to the plug.

4

Connect the charger cord, for models with electric start, to the harness below the electric start on the mower handle. Plug the power pack into an electrical outlet and allow the battery to charge until the LED indicator light changes to green. Unplug the charger cord from the outlet and mower.

5

Replace a blown fuse by raising the rear deflector. Brush away debris from around the battery compartment with a brush. Remove the screw that secures the battery compartment in place with a screwdriver. Pull out the compartment and replace the fuse. Slide the compartment back into the mower and secure it with the screw.

6

Turn the mower onto its side with the dipstick down toward the ground. Put on gloves for protection. Pull the boot from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting. Place a block of wood against the inside of the cutting deck and rotate the blade against the wood to wedge it in place. Tighten the center bolt with an adjustable wrench if the blade is loose.

7

Remove the blade if it is damaged or dull. Turn the bolt with the adjustable wrench to loosen. Remove the bolt and retaining assembly, and then pull the blade off the mower. Sharpen a dull blade with a metal file or obtain a replacement blade if the old one is cracked or chipped. Install the sharpened or new blade with the curved edges up toward the mower. Place the retaining assembly on the blade and finger-tighten the bolt through the hole in the blade and into the spindle. Tighten the bolt with the adjustable wrench. Set the mower back down on all four wheels.

Things You Will Need

Disposable container

Gasoline

Screwdriver

Replacement air filter

Spark plug wrench

Brush

Replacement spark plug

Charger

Replacement fuse

Gloves

Block of wood

Adjustable wrench

Metal file

Replacement blade

Tip

Obtain a replacement air filter, spark plug and blade from a home-improvement, big box or hardware store or mower-repair shop.

About the Author

Keith Dooley has done work in the field of landscaping and design for more than 10 years. He has implemented his own designs, as well as pulled from techniques learned through studies, creating many landscapes for others to enjoy.He has also maintained lawns, athletic fields, town parks, large gardens and game fields.